How's the hiking and camping in and around Chapala and Ajijic, Mexico?
Francisco Araiza - interlago realestate
I have a friend whose business is to bring people up in the mountains around Ajijic on hiking tours. They go to Las Tinajas and sometimes to El Tepalo, which is another mountain site. I have heard that it is beautiful.
I have only gone to the lower parts of the mountains around Ajijic and Chapala, but I know that people do go camping, and cross from Chapala to other cities or towns on the other side of the mountain.
Once you’re up the...
I have a friend whose business is to bring people up in the mountains around Ajijic on hiking tours. They go to Las Tinajas and sometimes to El Tepalo, which is another mountain site. I have heard that it is beautiful.
I have only gone to the lower parts of the mountains around Ajijic and Chapala, but I know that people do go camping, and cross from Chapala to other cities or towns on the other side of the mountain.
Once you’re up the mountains you will see waterfalls, different kinds of birds, and really nice views of Lake Chapala. You would see all the towns and houses of Chapala and Ajijic once you’re up there. It’s a really nice view. You don’t have to be in incredibly great shape in order to go and you don’t have to be a hiker to hike here because you could go up and in just about 20 to 30 minutes you would already be in a nice spot with really lovely views of Chapala.
(Las Tinajas in Michoacá, near the border of the state of Jalisco and Lake Chapala, Mexico, pictured.)
What’s the effect of illegal drug traffic in Portugal?
Luis Teixeira da Silva - Algarve Senior Living
I am not an expert on this but my perception is that illegal drug trafficking is not a big problem in Portugal because Portugal doesn’t appear to be a major drug distribution network for drug smugglers. I do believe that there are some issues around drugs in some high schools and so this is something that they are trying to combat but it really isn’t a big issue in Portugal as a whole.
(Spanish and Portuguese trade routes in the 17th...
I am not an expert on this but my perception is that illegal drug trafficking is not a big problem in Portugal because Portugal doesn’t appear to be a major drug distribution network for drug smugglers. I do believe that there are some issues around drugs in some high schools and so this is something that they are trying to combat but it really isn’t a big issue in Portugal as a whole.
(Spanish and Portuguese trade routes in the 17th century, pictured.)
The Nicaraguan government has a retirement program for expats. It is pretty close to the retirement program offered by Panama. Here in Nicaragua, as long as you are 45 years old and have at least a certain amount of income coming in through pension or social security, you can bring in US $20,000 worth of household goods tax-free. You can also bring up to a $25,000 vehicle, tax-free.
Nicaragua does not have discount privileges like Panama has. Here in...
The Nicaraguan government has a retirement program for expats. It is pretty close to the retirement program offered by Panama. Here in Nicaragua, as long as you are 45 years old and have at least a certain amount of income coming in through pension or social security, you can bring in US $20,000 worth of household goods tax-free. You can also bring up to a $25,000 vehicle, tax-free.
Nicaragua does not have discount privileges like Panama has. Here in Nicaragua they call it "Tercera Edad," which translates to "Third Age" and refers to people who are over 60 years old. If you are Tercera Edad, you might get discounts at the movies and maybe even in a few restaurants, but not that many.
Every bank in Nicaragua has a teller just for people over 60. I love it. It makes banking transactions easier. This accommodation is cultural; it is not because of a law or anything else, but because Nicaraguans are good people and they treat their elders very well.
For me, personally, being a mother moving to Belize, I was very pleased to find out that Belize was a community that was accepting of me as an expat. I never left the US for any other reason than I just wanted something different, which included a change of cultural experience for my children. I can say that that was an incredibly wise decision. My kids have benefited from seeing other cultures and how they live.
Belize is so diverse, we are talking about many...
For me, personally, being a mother moving to Belize, I was very pleased to find out that Belize was a community that was accepting of me as an expat. I never left the US for any other reason than I just wanted something different, which included a change of cultural experience for my children. I can say that that was an incredibly wise decision. My kids have benefited from seeing other cultures and how they live.
Belize is so diverse, we are talking about many different cultures: from the Mayans, to the Mestizos, the Spanish, the Belizeans, the Garifuna, the Creole, etc. There is everything here in Belize.
Living in Belize is like living in a global world, but with a very small town feeling. That is what the whole country feels like.
(Macarena Rose in San Ignacio in the Cayo district of Belize talking to bicyclist downtown, pictured.)
In general, what do I need to know about FBAR (Foreign Bank Account Report)?
Jay Butler - Asset Protection Services of America
According to the Foreign Bank and Financial Authority (FBAR) regulations, the IRS must allow individuals to open private offshore bank accounts. So long as the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts does not exceed $10,000 (USD) at any time during the calendar year, the assets need not be reported. Be mindful of interest bearing accounts, for if your total offshore accounts exceed $10,000 (USD) the IRS requires you to report it or risk facing a maximum penalty of five years in...
According to the Foreign Bank and Financial Authority (FBAR) regulations, the IRS must allow individuals to open private offshore bank accounts. So long as the aggregate value of all foreign financial accounts does not exceed $10,000 (USD) at any time during the calendar year, the assets need not be reported. Be mindful of interest bearing accounts, for if your total offshore accounts exceed $10,000 (USD) the IRS requires you to report it or risk facing a maximum penalty of five years in prison and the loss of up to 50% of your assets.
Properly executed, the benefit to such a strategy of moving money offshore lies in having a family open an offshore bank account in the name of each family member in the amount of $9,990 (USD) into a non-interest bearing account. Provided a person is careful to adhere to established guidelines this is a safe way to quickly move tens of thousands of dollars out of the country, depending on the number of family members in your household.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers all income reportable regardless of the source or location derived and most assets held offshore are reportable, however some are not. When looking to preserve your assets it is important to understand the difference between taxable income and reportable assets. As with all offshore structuring, consult with your legal or tax advisor to ensure your activities are in compliance with the laws of your resident country.
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